Q & A: Songs of food glorious food

Q. Are there any European football equivalents to Oldham Athletic's new terrace song "Meat Pie, Sausage Roll" and, if so, what food is featured? I ask this because a French colleague once told me about an early 1980s Paris St-Germain chant featuring "Croissants et Boissants"?

A. Alan Ball had a torrid time as Stoke manager. Hot drinks were thrown over him by Stoke fans on his first return there. The song printed in the fanzine of Ball's next club (Exeter) was, to the tune of "Robin Hood, Robin Hood, riding through the glen,": "Alan Ball, Alan Ball, he manages the Reds,

Alan Ball, Alan Ball, attacked with beverages,

Oxo and tea, soup and coffee,

Alan Ball, Alan Ball..."

Audacious, eh! Both using the word "beverages" in a terrace song and trying to rhyme it.

Andrew Long,

Hagley, Worcestershire

A. The Cornish section on the Plymouth Argyle terraces are prone to breaking out into: "Drink up your cider, Drink up your cider, ole, ole, ole".

Sam Robertson, Plymouth

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. Fred Truman's autobiography details when he was recorded bowling at speed of 93mph, the same as the West Indian Wes Hall. Has any Englishman ever bowled faster?

Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby

Q. It is said and I have read that a boxer called Red Pullen from Wales holds the record for the number of bouts lost - a staggering 181. Can this be confirmed?

Kevin Maguire, Batley

Q. Who, if any, were the last amateur team to win the FA Cup?

J Candy, Stratford

If you know the answers to any of these questions or have a sporting question of your own, write to Q&A, Sports Desk, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL. Fax: 0171-293 2894.